Muscle Tension Headaches

[Fairy Mom]

I have been suffering with muscle tension headaches since last summer. I don't know what to do. Has anyone that has suffered found any relief? This headache I have right now has been with me since last Tues.

I use heating pads and I try to stretch my neck, but I hurt to much right now to move.

I now you guys are not trained physicians. Just wondering if I'm not alone and if there might be any relief in the future.

Thanks for your time.

 

[plj2009]

I have been suffering with muscle tension headaches since last summer. I don't know what to do. Has anyone that has suffered found any relief? This headache I have right now has been with me since last Tues.

I use heating pads and I try to stretch my neck, but I hurt to much right now to move.

I now you guys are not trained physicians. Just wondering if I'm not alone and if there might be any relief in the future.

Thanks for your time.

I suffered from this terribly for so long. I fintally went to a chiropractor..something I refused to do for a LONG time. I was scared to death, but this guy was phenomenal. He wasn't a quack chiropractor..he had at least 8 years of schooling. You have to do your research...but when I tell you I was CURED..I am not kidding. I also tried to get a massage every other week for a while.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I go into a QUIET dark room, place a cool compress on my forehead and totally veg! Slow deep breaths.............slow exhales especially.....weird but works.......
I also SWEAR by Excedrin Tension...which is basically excedrin with caffeine (in lieu of this some use aspirin and soda) as the caffeine allegedly allows blood to flow thru veins easier...less tension/stress.
I do not believe in Chiro's (Know of a VERY VERY bad situation as direct result of Chiro treatment by a good one) but also know people that swear by it...personal choice to be made with a dpctor................
I think many people tend to roll their neck around to stretch but I have been told it is the wrong thing to do...Instead, chin to chest, slowly and BREATHE and then Each side and then slowly back...not rolling around (hope that made sense)
It is important IMHO to see a doctor, have your BP checked as well...tension can raise BP and vice versa....
In the meantime....I wish you well...and YES, many people suffer with tension headaches, its Finding what works for You. OH, and COLD not freezing also works for short period of time when laying down.....
Does yours start at base of neck and then seem to radiate up and around top of head like a band?????

 

[tchrrx]

Sorry that you are in pain.

I read your title twice and thought it said, MUSIC tension headaches. I couldn't figure out why you didn't just turn the music off!

 

[micheleq]

For the last few months I've been getting bad muscle tension headaches, mostly at night. I go to a chiropractor once a month for neck/back issues, and he was able to isolate the muscles at the base of my head that were causing the headaches. I went a few weeks in a row and it helped me very much. My dr. does muscle stimulation as well as the adjustment. The headaches are under control now.

If you seek chiropractic care, just make sure s/he is a doctor of chiropractic medicine and affilitated with their national association. Many health insurance plans cover chiropractic care.

Hang in there! You aren't alone!

 

[bankgirl05]

I suffered from these as well,for about 9 months! mostly when I was under a great deal of stress, but my DR recommended ice packs instead of heat and it helped... also drinking plenty of water through out the day, because as he explained to me, muscle spasms often occur when you are dehydrated. Relieving the stress in my life (divorce ) worked wonders and I havenn't had one of those headaches for years!!!
Good luck to you!!!

 

[kimsdreamvacation]

I totally agree with PP about Chiropractor, I suffer from those headaches and also Migraines and our chiropractor is also a neurologist so he really knows his stuff about headaches, if you can find one like that I highly recommend it. Good luck.

 

[perkinsrose]

How are you defining them as "muscle tension"?
Is it because there is neck/muscle pain?
Do you have any throbbing pain?

I've suffered from many "kinds" of headaches since childhood and finally diagnosed "atypical migraine" in early 30s.

I've tried many remedies and many medications.

CAFFEINE: Can help a headache in a pinch but you can get the rebound effect if you go into withdrawl. Giving up diet coke (arificial sweeteners) and cutting my caffeine down to 1 cup of half/caff. coffee in the morning was a huge impact.

EXERCISE: Yoga when make the committment to fit it into a busy schedule helps alot. When I was running in the summer --probably getting blood pressure down as well as stress relief -- headaches greatly reduced.

ICEPACKS gives me some relief when I have a bad one as well as a HOT SHOWER.

Over the counter meds: I sometimes take Tylenol & Ibuprofin together. Often my migraines are in combination with sinus symptoms and I use 1/2 dose of Sudafed--too much makes me shakey.

If a doctor thinks you actually are a migraine sufferer--sometimes it takes the right neurologist to recognize, I have lots of info & experience to share.

 

[poohmomof3]

I have suffered with various headaches for years. Last spring they changed and nothing was working. I had MRI's, doctor visits, and finally a neurologist suggested "neck traction." He sent me to physical therapy and they were not sure it would work since no one knew what was causing the headaches. It worked wonders!!! I highly recommend people try this - you just lay on the table/bed, your head is held lightly behind the ears/upper neck by the machine, and your head is very slowly pulled (stretching the neck) up for 40 seconds and back down for 20 seconds in sets. It feels very good-not scary at all. This worked better than the chiropractor I tried over the summer.

I also use excedine - it is always with me and I use it the minute I feel a twinge. If I wait for the headache, it's too late. Good luck!

 

[Aunt Flancy]

I have to take prescription muscle relaxers (Soma) for mine. Ice also helps. I have not tried Chiropractor yet but have been thinking about it because I have a friend whose husband is one.

 

[Kallista]

I have used a muscle relaxer for them. I was prescribed Parafon Forte for a back spasm when I was pregnant and found that it did wonders for my headaches.

 

[maciec]

I was also suffering from muscle tension headaches. My doctor gave me a script for a muscle relaxer and told me to take Aleeve with it. Since then, when I get them, I do as the doctor ordered and it absolutely works for me. Start with your regular doctor and see what he/she says and go from there. Good Luck!

 

[dfchelbay]

Try Excedrin Migraine. It seems to help a lot more than the other over the counter stuff does. Feel Better.

 

[crisi]

I'd recommend a physical therapist. A chiropractor did very little for mine and required regular visits which were expensive with my copay - a physical therapist helped a lot - and after six visits I had the exercises I needed to do to maintain (stretching and strength).

 

[brergnat]

Stay away from OTC headache meds. They can cause dependency, due to their ingredients (mainly caffeine and acetaminophen). You will find that you are taking the meds daily, and when you stop, you'll have a "rebound" headache that will be worse than before.

You need to see your doctor. You likely are having muscle spasms in your upper back/neck. You need a muscle relaxer. SOMA works great, but you have to be VERY careful if you are prescribed this...you CANNOT drink alcohol or use narcotic pain relievers at all while you are using it...it can be deadly! I know your pain. I've been dealing with migraines caused by primary tension headaches for 25 of my 31 years of life!

When I start feeling the knots in my upper back/neck, I take SOMA and Aleve Liquid Gels. Am usually better within 12-24 hours. When I have a BAD tension/migraine headache, I take MIDRIN. I'd ask your doctor about both these meds, they are by prescription only.

I find that using Excedrin (tension or migraine) just results in an awful burning sensation in my neck and the inability to sleep, due to the caffeine...

Regarding Chiropractors...once you visit one, you can NEVER stop. I have been advised by SEVERAL doctors (including a neurologist) to avoid them unless I am willing to make a lifetime commitment...which I'm not.

 

[Swimalie]

Stay away from OTC headache meds. They can cause dependency, due to their ingredients (mainly caffeine and acetaminophen). You will find that you are taking the meds daily, and when you stop, you'll have a "rebound" headache that will be worse than before.

You need to see your doctor. You likely are having muscle spasms in your upper back/neck. You need a muscle relaxer. SOMA works great, but you have to be VERY careful if you are prescribed this...you CANNOT drink alcohol or use narcotic pain relievers at all while you are using it...it can be deadly! I know your pain. I've been dealing with migraines caused by primary tension headaches for 25 of my 31 years of life!

When I start feeling the knots in my upper back/neck, I take SOMA and Aleve Liquid Gels. Am usually better within 12-24 hours. When I have a BAD tension/migraine headache, I take MIDRIN. I'd ask your doctor about both these meds, they are by prescription only.

I find that using Excedrin (tension or migraine) just results in an awful burning sensation in my neck and the inability to sleep, due to the caffeine...

Regarding Chiropractors...once you visit one, you can NEVER stop. I have been advised by SEVERAL doctors (including a neurologist) to avoid them unless I am willing to make a lifetime commitment...which I'm not.

I can agree with 90% of what you said (except the SOMA since I've never taken it). Be careful with over the counter meds. Acetaminophen, which is found in many OTC headache meds is one that causes rebound headaches.

I have suffered from almost daily headaches for years, since I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease. I finally went to a chiropractor and thought it was great until I realized that my neck was cracking on it's own. It never used to do that. I didn't like it at all!

Then I went to see a neurologist. I am now on maintenance meds for the headaches and I take Imitrex when they get really bad. Eventually I'll come off the maintenance meds and be home free.

I now see another chiropractor but she does A.R.T stretching on me and it does more for me than any adjustment before. Plus, as a competitive swimmer, the stretching is wonderful!!

I recommend you see your doctor and see what they can do for you. Try to stay away from the OTC stuff and try a bath and then some ice. It might help a lot.

 

[Momma2dakidz]

I can suggest some stuff but i am not a doctor...

Hot bath with epson salts melted into the water.

For true tension headaches teh only thing that worked for me was tramadol or getting rid of the boyfriend. I used both and havent had one in years! LOL

Another coping option i have used is those Thermacare heat wraps, and Johnsons bedtime lotion. DO NOT LEAVE HEAT WRAPS WHERE DOGS CAN GET THEM!!! THEY ARE HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO DOGS IF INGESTED. (trash cans are on lock down when i use one now)

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

As someone else has already said. What works for one may not always work for someone else. If these are new headaches/migraines and are lasting longer than you think they should. You need to consult you PCP. There are so many different things that can be causing them.

I agree with those saying stay away from OTC meds. They do cause rebound headaches. And let me tell you they are worse than a migraine. I had them back in July into Aug. Went to my PCP and he put me on prednisone they were so severe. He also told me not to take ANY OTC for them. I had never heard of "rebound headaches" and joked with him about being addicted to Advil and Tyl. But, that is pretty much what it is. An addiction. I have suffered from migraines since I was a small child. Over 40 years now. There are no known triggers for my migraines. I can't take the usual rx for them. They don't work. I was given a new rx that my Neoro said is new to the market (sorry don't remember the name). It's a preventative I took it every night at bed time . I stopped taking it by the end of Aug. I stopped taking OTC on Aug 1st and stayed away from them until rescently. I started taking Tyl or Advil for post knee surgery. Now this past weekend I ended up with a migraine for the entire weekend. Started back on my rx meds this weekend as well.
I see a Chiropracter ( I work there) not always for adjustments, but, electric stem. The stem seems to help with most episodes. I've been seeing a Chiropracter long before I started working with one.
At home I use ice or heat depending on the type of migraine I have. (yes, there are different kinds).
I also try to go right to bed in a very dark and quite room along with either of the above. If I'm out when they start I will get home asap.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

Definitely been-there, done-that! Such a pain (literally), right! Anyway, I seriously think my chiropractor "cured" me. I did go often for a little while, but he was awesome and gave me great exercises to improve and maintain at home - don't go to a chiropractor who doesn't give you exercises to do - without the strength training to get your body back to the way it should be, of course you need to keep going in. I haven't been back to the chiro in over 3 years, and I've had 2 kids since then (so my body has clearly been through many changes)... still no pain (I had chronic back pain in more than one place, one of which was leading to tension headaches). The only time I get a similar headache now is if I workout too much in my shoulders without proper stretching and all that, but it goes away after a day and no big deal. I do not think it's helpful to take medicine all the time - IMO, that's not good for my body (not bad if needed, but not great long-term if there's a better alternative), so I am VERY happy with my current status.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

Try Excedrin Migraine. It seems to help a lot more than the other over the counter stuff does. Feel Better.

This is the only medication that works for me. Hope you get relief soon. I know how horrible it can be!